Check-protector.



W. D. DOREMUS. CHEOK PROTEGTOR. PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP 4,

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

5 EEEEEEEEEEEE 1.

W. D. DO'REMUS.

GHECK PROTEGTOR. APPLIOATION FILED APRJO, 1914,

1,131,602. Patented Mar.9, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SEEET 2.'

W. D. DOREMUS. GHEGK PROTEGTOR. APPLIOATION rILED APR.10, 19144 Patented Mar; 9, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

W. D. DOREMUS.

GHECK PROTEOTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED APRJO. 1914.

W. D. DOREMUS.

GHEOK PROTEGTOR.

APPLIOATION FILBD APR. 10, 1914.

1,131,602. Pa ented Mat9, 1915.

5 SHEBTS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLABCD D. DOREMUS, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRGT OF COIUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO' EXACTOGRAPH COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF 'DELAWARE CHECK-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Iatent.

PatentedMar.9, 1915.

Application filed April 16, 1914. Serial Iyo. 830,981.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILUARD D. DOREMUS, a .citizen of the United States, residing at lVashington, in the District of Columbia,

have invented a Check-Protector, of whichsenting the amount of the check, &c., -which is disposed and inked for coperation with a movable platen on which the check is placed and brought against the type to receive the' impression thereof.

Theprimary obj ect of my invention is to provide a device or machine of this general character consisting of comparatively few parts constructed and compactly arranged for easy and convenient manipulation to expedite the operation 'of marking checlm,

money-orders, &c., by impressions which thoroughly protect them in the amount for which they are drawn.

In the present instance my invention'contemplates a check protector c'omprising individual rotatable type-wheels having operating handles and means for holding them temporarily in predetermined alinement, in connection with a movable platen coperating with the line'of type to produce the impression, levers for operating` the platen, an inking device operated'automatically to'ink the type in advance of the operation of the platen thereagainst, and means forreturning all the type-wheels to an initial or normal position; all as hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the appended claims.

In 'the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification:-Figure 1' is a pcrspective view of a check protector, constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine. the cover plates being removed to 'expose the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a detail view. showing a sample of the work pro- .dnced by the machine. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, the operative parts being; in their initial or normal position. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective Viewof one' of the washers employed in connection with the rotatable type-wheels. Fig. 6 is a vertical secticnal view, showing a check in place and the parts operated to produce an impression thereon. c Fig.-7 is a detail view of the supplenental inking-roll. Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the machine on a line with the ?haft carrying the type-wheels; Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view' through the type-wheels and washers for returning the same to initial position.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The mechanism constituting my improved check protector is mounted upon a suitable hollow base-block orcasting 10, from which rise side pieces 11,11, forming part of-an inclosing case completed by a face-plate 12 attached to the upper front edges of the side pieces and a removable cover plate 13 resting upon the upper rear edges of said side pieces and having a tongue 13 for detachable engagement with the rear wall of the base, the meeting edges of ,the fa'ce-plate and removable cover being supported by a transverse 'strip 14: attached at its ends to the side pieces. The cover plate is provided with a btton 15, for convenience in handling the same, and in order to hold this plate in place its upper or free end is provided with depending spring members 13 having apertures into which engage short studs 11 proj ecting from the side pieces 11. The for-- Ward end of-the supporting-base projects in' front of the inclosing case and the top 10 thereof provides a surface on which the check or other paper is placed for insertion into the machine below the lower edges of the face-plate and side pieces, which latter terminate a short distance above this portion of the supporting-base for the purpose. The 'side pieces are-therefore supportv ed by and secured to the rear portion only of. the base, which is slightly raised as shown, being provided with inward'ly projecting flanges 11 into which attaching screws 16 are threaded from said base. The face-plate in' the present instance is provided with an 'opening through which project the operating handles of the typewheels, hereinafter described, and over this Opening are attached metal strips 17 forming vertical slots 18 in which the handles operate, and the lower portion of said faceplate is provided with a transverse slot 19 orming a sight-openingthrough which ap- 'pear figures, &c., on the type-wheels cor- 23, the aforesaid shaft being held against longitudinal movement by a set-sorew 24 engaging a groove 25 near one end thereof, and is extended at the other end beyond the casing to receive an operating handle 20. A`

portion of the periphery of each rotatable type-Wheel is provided wi th a series of type faces 27 ,forming suitablefigures and marks,

and another portion thereof is provided With a corresponding series of figures and marks, as 28, arranged to be exposed through' the sight Opening 19 When the corresponding type-face is disposed in operative position above a movable platen 29 fulcrumed on a shaft 30, and hereinafter particularly ,described. The rotatable type-wheels are provided with independent operating-handles 31, which project through and beyond the vertical slots 18 in the face-plate for convenience in operating said type-wheels, and for the purpose of holding the latter in any position to which they may be turned each one is engaged i'ndependent y by a springactuated "ball 32, carried bya cross-bar 33 and Seating. in serratiois'34 in a portion of the periphery of the type-Wheel. In the present instance eachball 32 is pressed against the type-Wheel by a companion ball 35, actuated by a spring 36 held in place by a set-screw 33 threa'ded in the cross-ban33, the latter being disposed between the side pieces 11, 11, and attachedat its ends thereto. It will be understood, of course, that` the serrations inthe periphery of the. typewheel are arranged or stepped with respect to the 'type faces so as to position the latter in proper alinement above the platen.

The type-wheels turn loosely on the shaft bringing the respective type faces in printing position, as hereinbefore described, and for the purpose of returiing all the type-wheels to the initial or normal position, after a printing operation, the interposed washers 23 are each 23 struck therefrom and playing in a con;-

centric slot 22 in the side of its companion type-Wheel, the washers all being-keyed to "turn with the shaft. 21 by each washer seated in a groove 21 in the shaft. This sh ft is operated by the handle 26, andfor'c -is a knob 37 'on the side of the machine for the engagement of a 'fi'nger of the operating hand to' assist t thumb in moving the lever. It Will be understood, of course, that the washers will movement of the type-Wheels in formin'g a printing line, for in turning a Wheel it will is a shaft 21, upon provided with a tongue a tongue 23 'onvenience of operation there not, interfere with' the carry its washer with it, and said washer being fixed to the shaft will turn the latter and consequently the other washers a corresponding distance. However, after bringing all the type-wleels to normal'position it is advisable to turn. the shaft back so that the tongues at the outer ends of the washers will all be disposed at the far ends of the slots 22 in the type-wheels, respectively, thereby relieving the type-Wheels of this operati'on and consequently pei-mit them to be more easily turned, as in the latter instance the slots allow the washers and shaft to remain stationary. r

In addition to the rotatable type-wheels providing movable type there are stationary type, as 38, on a block ,39 attached to the lower end of a bar 40 suspended from the shaft 21 at one side. of theseries'of typewheels, these stationary type producing letters or other marks which are to be printcd on each check or paper, for instance the letters P. M. O., shown in the sample of work, (Fig. 3), being an abbreviation of the words postal money order. The supporting bar .40 is' held stationary by an upper extension 40 secured to the adjacent side piece of the machine, and at the other side of the series of type-wheels is a Similar bar i 41 anchored to the other side piece of the machine by the extension 41 and this bar may also carry permanent type, if desired.

The movable platen 29, fulcrumed on the shaft 30, and hereinbefore referred to, is provided at its forward end with blocks 42,

for pressing the check, as 43, or other paper, V

against the alined type, and as indicated in the sample work or impression shown in Fig. 3, of the drawings, the faces of both the'type '27, 38, and A blocks 42 are in the form of parallel knife-blades, which cut 'into the paper to provide an impression that will more efi'ectual check is drawn. The platen has a rocking 'movement on its shaft, imparted by togglelevers 44 and 45, at each side of the machine, the levers 45 projecting from an operating ,shaft 46 journaled in the side pieces 11 and having an operating lever 47, at one end, the

movement of which is limited in the present instance by a stop-pin 48, to regulate the impression. i This operating shaftvis turned automaticaliy to move the platen to its lowermost or normal position by a ,coiled spring 49 wound upon said shaft and attached thereto at one end, the other end of the spring being extended for engagementwith a stationary fixture, as an edge of the sup-. porting-base 10. It will be noted that the blocks 42 carried by the' movable platen are seated in a groove 30 therein, and are -held in' place by set-screws 50, so as to be easily removed for the purpose of renewal.

For the; purpose of inking the line of type, including the stationary type carried y protect the amount for which the by the bar 40 and those brought into printing position by manipulation of the typewheels, I provide an inking device in which an inking-roller 51 is wped across said line of type in advance of the operation of the platen thereagainst. To accomplish this the `inking-roller is carried by arms 52 loosely and swingingly suspended from the shaft 21 beyond the sides of the bars 40 and 41, and to each arm is attached a spur-wheel 53, engaged and turned by a rack-plate 54 connectedto the pin 55 which couples the toggle-levers 44 and 45 together. The rackplates 54'mesh with the spur-wheels at the lower sides thereof, and to maint in said ins 56 spectively. The toothed periphery of each spur-wheel is eccentric, so that the arms will move the inking-roller quickly across the line l of type and out of 'the way of the approaching' platen, and consequently the lower edges of the lack-plates, which ride on the pins 56, are curved, as shown at 54 corresponding with the contour of said spur-wheels. The inking-roller 51 is movably mounted in the ends-of the arms, for movement to and from the type-wheels, and therefore the gudgeons 51 at the ends of said inkingroller work in slots 52 at the ends of the arms, and are engaged by bell-crank lever's 57 mounted upon a rod 58 extending between forward extensions at the outer ends of said arm s. .The bell-crank levers are op- .erated to yieldingly press the inking-roller against the line of type in printing position by means of flat Springs 59 attached to the arms, and in order to move said inkingroller away from the type-wheels, when the parts are in normal position, pins 60 project from the side pieces 11 into the path ofthe free members of each bell-crank lever so a's to move the latter a slight distance against the action of the spring, the inkingroller` moving away from the typewheels by gravity when the tension of the spring thereon is'released by the shifting of the bell-crank levers. In the present instance the inking-roller 51 is re-inked by a sup-plemental inking-roller 61, supported loosely in bearings 62 formed on the side pieces 11 at the upper ends thereof, and both inkingrollers may be, 'and preferably are, made in two Sections to carry difi'erent colored ink. The supplemental inking roller 61 is provided at one end with a milled Wheel 6.3, for turning the same manually in either transferring in-k to the roller 51 or applying a fresh supply of ink to said supplemental roller. r

To provide guides for receiving and supporting the 'check or other paper* during the operation of printing plates 64 and 65 are attached to the platen by 'means of a crosspiece 66, the upper plate, 65, being suitably 4 supported above the plate 64, as by engageportion of the facc-plate 12, to leave a space between said plates 'or the insertion of the check. These guiding and supporting plates are provided with openings through which the blocks on the platen and printing line of type pass, respectively, to clamp or press the check or paper between them, the plate 64 having a .downwardly curved tongue 64 at the -rear end of its Opening to prevent the check or paper from passingbelow said plate, and in the present instance the cross-piece 66, to which the plates are attached, forms a stop for the inner edge of the check to strike. against.

As hereinbefore stated, theprinting type on the type-wheels which are disposed in. prutng position above the platen are indicated by corresponding figures and marks on the type-wheels which appear through the sght-opening 19; but in order to-facilitate the manipulation of the several handles the metal strips 17 are provided with numerals and marks, as 67, over which pass pointers 31 projecting from the operatinghandles.

In the present instance the machine is del signed for the purpose of rinting ona check or money-order the amount for which it is dra'wn, in connection with the letters P. M. 0., and therefore the figures on the two rotatable type-wheels to the right represent cents, andvthose on the other typewheels dollars, the third Wheel from the right having a decimal point after each'numeral or dollar unit, the fourth Wheel a dollar *mark in addition to the series of numerals, and the fifth Wheel provided with a. dollar mark associated with each numeral; inasmuch as the number of type Wheels em- `ployed in the machine shown* limit' the larger amounts, and that 'instead of numerals the type-wheels, or some of them, may be' provided with letters.

In the operation of the machine, to mark a check with the amount for which it is fdrawn, the type-wheels are all moved to their initial or normal position by. the oper ation of the lever 26 in the manner hereinbefore described, and the lever is then swung down so that the washers 23 will not interfere with the easy manipulatiomof the typewheels. The type-wheels, or so many as are required to represent .the amount of the.

ing to the pressure applied to the lever.

\V 48, and correct alinement Upon releasing the lever 47 the .spring 49 connected to the operating-shaft 46 will turn the latter to return the inkin'g device and platen to their normal positions, permitting the printed check to be withdrawn. Excessve compression of the type and impressionblocks carried by the platen is prevented by limitin the downward movement of the lever 47 y contact thereof with the stop-pin of the type forming the printing line is provided for' by engagement of the spring-actuated balls with the serrated spectively. V

It will be seen, therefore, that by the particular construction and arrangement of the parts constituting my invention I not only provide for a convenient and effective operation but also produce a strong and durable machine which is not likely to get out of or.- der, owing to the comparatively fewparts employed and their perfect coperation.

The inking-roller 51 is held normally out of contact with the face of the type-wheels by tripping. the spring-actuated bell-crank levers at the end of the forward movement of the carrying-arms 52, and said inkingroller receives a small supply of ink on each portions of the type-wheels, re-

operation of the lever 47 by contact With the supplemental inking-roller 61, the contact or engagement of' the rollers with each other .being such as to impart a slight rotation for distributing the ink.

It will be understood, of course, that the slots 22 engaging-shoulder, as 22 ment of the tongue 23" on the companion washer, to bring the ty e-wheels to normal position when the shaf 21 is turned; but this operation could be efected in like manner by providing each type-Wheel with a laterally projecting pin and the ccmpanion .Washer witha peripheral projection. It will be Obvious, also, that other modifications or changes could be made 'in the coperating parts without altering the general purposes and operations of the machine, Within the meaning and scope of the' appended claims. Having claim: v

1. In a machine of the character described, the `combination With a supporting-frame, of a shaft journaled therein, type wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft, a platen pivoted in the frame and having surfaces coperating with the type-wheels to produce an impression,'toggle-1evers operating said platen, a

supplemental inking-roll, an inking-roll,

in the type-wheels each provide lan for ,the engagethus described my invention, I-

2. In a machine of the character described,

the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft journaled therein, type-wheels rotatably nountcd on the shaft, a platen pivoted 'in the frame and carrying surfaces coperating With the type-wheels to produce an impression, tog'gle-levers connected to and operating said platen, arms swingingly supported from the shaft and carrying an inking-roller for movement across the face of the type-wheels, spur-wheels connected to 'the arms, and rack-plates in mesh with the spur-wheels and connected to the togglelevers for operation thereby.

3. In amachine of the characterdescribed,

the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft journaled therein, type wheels rotatably. mounted on the shaft, a platen pvoted in the frame and carrying surfaces cooperating with the type wheels, means for operating the platen, ecentric *spur-wheels mounted 011 the shaft and carrying arms, an

inking-roller carried by the arms for movement across the face of the type-wheels,.

rack-plates in mesh with the spur-wheels,

and means for reciprocating said rack-plates- 4. In a machine of the character described, the combinatio with a supporting-frame, of a shaft journaled therein, type wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft, a platen pivoted in the frame and having surfaces coperating with the type-wheels to produce an impression,`toggle-levers connected to and operating the platen, eccentric spur-Wheels mounted on the shaft and carrying arms, an inking-roller carried by thearms and movable across the face of the type-wheels, rackplates connected to the toggle-levers and in mesh with the ec'centric spur-wheels, and pins engaging the rack-plates to maintain them in mesh With the spur-wheels. a

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a shaft journaled therein, type wheels rotatably mounted on the shaft and having engaging should ers, washers keyed to the shaft and having shoulders eoperating With the shoulders on the* type-wheels, r'espectively, a platen, and means for bringing the typewheels and platen together. V A 'c 6. In a machine of the character described, the con-binatin with a supporting-frame, of a shaft jou'rnaled therein, type-wheels rotatably mounted on -the shaft and having each a segmental slot, washers keyed to -the shaft and each having a tongue projecting into the segmental slot of a companiontype- 'engaging shoulders, washers keyed to the shaft andvhaving shoulders coperating with the shoulders on the type-wheels, respectively, a platen pivoted in the frame and having surfaces coperating With the type on the type-wheels to produce an impression on paper placed therebetween, toggle-levers operating the platen, a spring-actuated shaft to which one of the toggle-le'vers is connected and a lever for turning said shaft; together with spur-wheels mounted on the first mentioned shaft and carrying arms, an inkingroller carried by the arms for movement across the face of the type-wheels, and rackplates connected to the toggle-levers and in mesh with the spur-wheels, substantially as shown and described.

8. In a machine of the character described,

,the combination, with a supporting-frame,

of a shaft journaled therein, type-wheels rotatably mounted on. the shaft and each having a portion of its periphery provided with dles for operating the type-wheels, springactuated balls supported in the frame and engaging the serrated portions of the typewheels, and an inclosing -case having vertical slots for the handles of the type-wheels and a sight-opening through which the indicating numerals or characters appear; together with a platen pivoted in the supporting-frame and having surfaces coperating with the type on the type-wheels, togglelevers for operating the platen, spur-wheels having arms carrying an inking-roller movable across the face of the type-wheels, and

` rack-plates connected to the toggle-levers and in mesh with the spur-wheels, substantially as shown `and for the purpose set forth.

,9. In a machine of' the character descrbed, the combinationwith a supportingframe, of a shaft journaled therein, typewheels mounted on the shaft, means for turning said type-wheels independently and 'for' holding them in predetermned alinement, bars suspended from the shaft at either side of the series of type-Wheels and carrying stationary type, a platen pvoted in the machine and having surfaces coperating with the type on the type-wheels, togglelevers for operating the platen, and an nking device operated .by the toggle-levers.

10. In a machine of the character i described, the combination with a supportingframe, of a shaft journaled therein, typewheels: mounted on the shaft, means ,for turning said type-wheels independently and means for holding them in predetermined alinement, bars suspended from the shaft `plates in mesh with the spur-wheels, a

platen pivoted in the frame and'having surfaces-coperating with the type to produce an impression, and toggle-levers for operatng the platen, said toggle-levers being also comected to the aforesaid rack-plates.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a supportingframe, of a shaft journaled therein, typewheels mounted on the shaft, means for turning said type-Wheels independently and means for holding them in predetermined ahnement, spur-wheels on the shaft, carrying arms, an inking-roller movably mounted in the ends of the arms, spring-actuated bell-crank levers carried by the arms and engaging the 'inking-roller to yieldingly press the same against the type-wheels, and pns on the fra-me engaging the bell-crank levers to move them against the action of the springs; together with a platen pivoted in the frame and having surfaces coperating with the type on the type-wheels to produce an impression; toggle-levers for operating the platen, and rack-plates connected to the'toggle-levers and in mesh with the aforesaid spur-wheels, substantially as shown and described. L v

12; In a machine of the character described, thecombination with a supportingframe, of a plurality of rotatable type- 'mally influence the bell-crank levers to move the same against the type-wheels, and means for operating the levers against the Springs to permit movement of the inkingroll away from `the type-wheels; together with means for operating the `arms, a platen, and means for bringing the typewheels and platen together.

13. In a mach'ne of the character de- D wheels a shaft for the same, means for turnscribed, the combination with a supportingframe, of a shaft journaled therein, a plurality of type-wheels rotatable mounted on the shaft, means for turning sad typewheels independently into alinement, slotted arms pivotally mounted on the shaft with and at opposite sides of the type-wheels, an

inking-roll movably mounted in the slots of platen, and means for bringing the type* the arms and adapted to pass over thefaces Wheels and platen together. .of the type-Wheels, spring-actuated bell- In testimony whereof I have signed my crank levers engaging the inking-rol1 to norname to this specificationin the presence of 5 mally move the same against the type-4 two subscribing wi tnesses.

wheels, and a stop arranged in the path of WILL ARD DOREMUS' v and adapted to engage the levers to move them against the action of the Springs "and In the presence of- Permit the inking-roll to fall by gravity W. S. DUVALL, 10 from the type-Wheels; together with a O. H. HANDY. 

